Clinical characteristic and correlative factors of maintenance hemodialysis patients with restless legs syndrome

Abstract

Objective To explore the prevalence and the correlative factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods The basic information and clinical laboratory results of 307 MHD patients were collected. The international RLS study group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria were applied to assess the presence and the severity of RLS. Binary logistic analysis was used for exploring correlative factors of RLS. Results The prevalence of RLS was 12.1% in the MHD patients, with 73.0% patients having mild-to-moderate symptoms and 83.8% having chronic RLS. There was no significant difference between MHD patients with and without RLS in age, gender, dialysis age, daily urine, Kt/V, history of smoking, drinking, hemoglobin, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), prealbumin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase. But the frequency of daily exercise in RLS group is significantly lower than that in non-RLS group (Z=-4.114, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that daily exercise was a correlative factor of RLS (B=-2.203, OR=0.111, 95%CI 0.033-0.371, P<0.001). Conclusions RLS is a common complication in MHD patients, with chronic state and mild-to-moderate symptoms. RLS is correlated with daily exercise, which may be a scientific approach to treat or prevent this disease. Key words: Restless legs syndrome; Renal dialysis; Risk factors; Exercise